I’ve been in Chiang Mai for a while now, and most of my previous camping experiences involved driving with friends, enjoying the lively outdoor atmosphere. However, with my friends busy lately, I wanted to experience the joy of quietly enjoying nature alone, so I decided to try solo motorcycle camping!
Easily Accessible National Park Campsite
This time, I chose Montha Than Waterfall Trailhead as my campsite. It’s super convenient to get to, only a 20-minute ride from Chiang Mai’s Old City! Plus, it’s a national park campsite, which means it’s not only beautiful but also very affordable. Perfect for a motorcycle camping newbie like me.
Motorcycle Camping Packing Tips
When I used to go car camping with friends, we would just bring whatever we wanted because there was plenty of space. But motorcycle camping is different. You have to be strategic and pack all the essentials within a limited space. This is where the camping checklist on the Green Explorer website came in handy!
After a few trial runs, I’ve gathered some motorcycle camping packing tips. You can divide your motorcycle space into these zones:
- Footrest: This is where you can put sturdy, bulky, heavy, and long items like your tent, folding foam sleeping pad, camping table and chairs, etc.
- Under-seat compartment: Store soft and important items here, such as lighting equipment, headlamps, wallet, phone, sleeping bag, etc.
- Backpack: Use this to carry the rest of your gear, like cooking equipment, food, water, etc.
Once everything is packed, it’s time to hit the road!
Montha Than Waterfall Canpsite Experience
The Montha Than Waterfall Trailhead is open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, and the entrance fees are as follows:
- Thai adults: 20 THB
- Foreign adults: 100 THB
- Motorcycle: 20 THB
- Camping fee: 30 THB
Total 170 THB, in exchange for a night of tranquility and freedom under the stars. Although the campsite wasn’t very big, it wasn’t crowded at all. The peaceful atmosphere allowed me to fully relax and immerse myself in nature. The facilities were also great, with clean restrooms and plenty of water, which was super convenient. They sold some simple food there, but I preferred to cook my own meals and enjoy the experience of cooking under the stars. There was also a short trail leading to a waterfall within the campsite, which took about an hour to walk. It was the perfect way to start the morning, taking a leisurely stroll, breathing in the fresh air, and listening to the sound of the flowing water.
Simple and Convenient Motorcycle Camping
This motorcycle camping experience made me realize how simple and convenient solo camping can be! No need for complicated itineraries or coordinating with friends. Just grab your gear, hop on your motorcycle, and you’re ready to go, enjoying the freedom of the outdoors.
There are actually 3 campsites along Highway 1004 (1004 ถนน ศรีวิชัย) towards Doi Suthep: Montha Than Waterfall Trailhead, บ้านพักนักท่องเที่ยว (สวนสน) อุทยานแห่งชาติดอยสุเทพ-ปุย, and Doi Pui Camping Area (more about Doi Pui Campsite). There are many more campsites around Chiang Mai waiting for me to explore on my motorcycle, and I’ll be sharing my experiences with you all!
For those interested in trying motorcycle camping, all the necessary equipment can be rented from Green Explorer website at reasonable prices. Come join the fun! It’s a truly unique way to explore Chiang Mai.
If you have any suggestions or questions about this article, feel free to email me : )